Cambridge's Next Generation of Deep Tech Innovators: Meet the #21toWatch Top21.2026

Cambridge's Next Generation of Deep Tech Innovators: Meet the #21toWatch Top21.2026

March 10, 2026 · 50 min · Season 4 · Episode 182

About this episode

This episode features five winners of the #21toWatch program, highlighting their innovative contributions to deep tech.

Episode 182 features five of this year's #21toWatch winners - and if you're in the startup ecosystem, this one's unmissable. For those unfamiliar, for the last eight years #21toWatch has been high on the regions innovation showcase, and the numbers speak for themselves. Over eight cohorts, 168 companies have landed on the list and collectively raised a staggering £721 million. This year marks a particularly poignant milestone: its Faye's final year running the programme after creating it back in 2018. But we think you’ll agree, she's gone out with a bang. In this episode we talk to five of the winning companies: Cyclana Bio is tackling drug discovery from first principles, focusing on the extracellular matrix (the "biological dark matter" comprising 90% of your tissue). Lea Wenger explains how their multidisciplinary approach spanning Cambridge and Manchester is already attracting serious attention, with £5 million raised so far. Obasense is developing ultra-sensitive gas sensors for indoor air quality monitoring -particularly timely given the UK's new mould regulations. Founder, Osarenkhoe Ogbeide, is also building African mythology comics on the side! Myonerv is creating…

People in this episode

Host: Faye Holland

Guests: Lea Wenger, Osarenkhoe Ogbeide, Sam Kourali

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Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cyclana Bio, Obasense, Myonerv, NANOPLUME

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